Fic: The Art of Being Lost and Found (17/?), blue cortina, dakfinv
Title: The Art of Being Lost and Found (17/?)
Author: dak
Word Count: 1496 (this part); (23,628 in total, so far)
Rating: blue cortina
Warnings: none here
Summary: Post 2.08. When the Guv goes missing, CID is saddled with an inept "interim" DCI. To find Gene, and the truth, Ray must team up with a hated enemy.
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15
Part 16
After an interminably long drive, Ray dropped Chris off at his parents and drove himself home. He’d offered for Chris to join him when he went to see Vera. Chris had simply shrugged him off and told him he could handle it. He didn’t know Mrs. Hunt very well, anyhow, he said. When Ray asked if Chris wanted to grab a pint later, Chris pretended he didn’t hear him.
Ray slammed the steering wheel as Chris slammed the door. The div had no reason to be mad at him. He’d done the right thing. He was doing the right thing - finding the Guv when no one else gave a damn. Well, that wasn’t entirely true. Chris did care. Cartwright cared. Tyler might care if he had more than two brain cells left in that cracked skull of his. But, if everyone cared as much as he did, why weren’t they showing it?
Ray pushed the thought from his mind as he drove away from the Skelton’s house. He had work to do. He stopped at home to change into a fresh suit. He always liked to make a good impression on the Guv’s wife. It was nice to think at least one person thought him respectable.
As he returned to his car, he wondered if Vera had gone home or returned to her mother’s in Yorkshire. He didn’t fancy another long drive and he wasn’t exactly sure where the mother-in-law Hunt lived. Well, he’d try the Hunt’s first and take it from there.
He parked his car across the street from the Cortina. The sight of it sitting there - still and quiet - made his stomach lurch. It had been his first hunch that Gene had been taken. The Guv would never leave his girl behind. Besides, he hadn’t another car to drive and none of the unmarked vehicles at the station were missing.
Ray thought maybe someone should drive it. It couldn’t be good to let the engine rest like that for so long, especially in the increasingly colder weather. He’d ask Vera’s permission of course. He grabbed the small bouquet of flowers he bought and made the short walk to the Guv’s front stoop.
He noticed a light on inside and was relieved to know that she was in fact here. He knocked three times and waited. Seconds later, the door cracked open to reveal Vera’s blotchy, tear-stained face.
“Oh, Raymond,” she smiled. “I was afraid it was that awful DCI Litton again. Do come in,” she stepped aside and waved him in.
“That ponce been giving you a hard time, Mrs. Hunt?” he asked, handing her the flowers.
“Well, I suppose he could be worse. But, as long as he’s helping to find Gene...” she sniffled and dabbed her nose with a hanky. “Please excuse me,” she apologized.
“Don’t even think on it. Have a right to be upset, everything you’ve been through.”
“You’re such a sweet lad, Raymond. Thank you. I was just fixing meself some tea. You could join me, if you like?”
“I’d never turn down a meal from the best cook in the county,” Ray grinned.
“Oh stop. You’re too kind,” she sniffled again, then stuffed the hanky back in her apron. “Let me put these in water.”
Ray followed her into the kitchen, not sitting until he was told to.
“WDC Cartwright told me about the phone call,” he began. He wanted to be gentle, but he needed to get to the truth.”
“Oh yes. Annie, isn’t it? Policework’s hardly the profession for such a young lady,” she shook her head as she placed the flowers in a vase.
“Has DCI Litton investigated that call, Vera? Told you anything useful?”
“Well, not much,” she sighed, filling the vase with water. “Just kept asking questions. How did I know it was Gene? Could I hear anything in the background? How long was the call? My goodness, I’m surprised he didn’t ask what color me dressing gown was!” She set the vase at the center of the table. “There. Lovely. Gene doesn’t much care for mums, but they just brighten up a room, don’t you think?” Vera smiled briefly, then turned away when the tears began again. “Now, what can I get you Raymond?”
“Don’t make a fuss over me. Make whatever you want.”
She nodded, wiped her hands on her apron and walked to the fridge.
“It’s been hard with him gone. At the station. Least we have each other to look after us. Can’t imagine what it must be like for you, here on your own,” Ray gently began his enquiry.
“You make me out to be a hermit, DS Carling,” she laughed quietly. “I have had Mother. She’s been a great help, even if she and Gene never quite see eye to eye.” She pulled out some leftover roast and set it on the counter. “And there’s Rosemary. Rosemary Kline. She’s an old schoolmate of mine. Only lives just round the corner. She’s the one that dropped this off this afternoon,” she pointed to the roast. “Doesn’t think I should bother with cooking, the state I’m in. How much would you like?”
“Oh, just a bit. Ta. What about your bridge club? I’m sure they’d be a good....distraction, eh?”
Vera froze for just a moment, her back to Ray. He couldn’t see her face but could tell from her body language that he was on the right track.
“Oh, didn’t Gene tell you?” she asked, cutting up the meat. “I left the bridge club a few months ago. Now, I know there was some veg to go with this meat,” she scurried back to the refrigerator.
“That’s a shame. Gene always said how much you loved bridge. I hope it weren’t over nothing serious.”
“No. No. Of course not. Oh my. I haven’t offered you anything to drink, have I? What a horrible hostess I’m being,” she laughed briefly. “What would you care for? I have some tea, of course. Water. There’s a few bottles of beer that are Gene’s, if...”
“Just tea would be lovely,” he returned her smile. “You know, my sister’s in a club in Barnsley. Bit of drive, but if you were looking...”
“Thank you very much, Raymond, but I’m afraid cards just aren’t my forte anymore.” She put the kettle on the stove. “Arthritis, you see. It’s just starting to set in,” she said, wiggling her fingers. “Hurts to hold them the way I used to. Isn’t aging grand? Do you take any sugar or milk? I’m afraid I can’t remember.”
“Bit of milk would be fine. When was the last time you saw Gene? That Monday morning, weren’t it?”
“Yes. Before he left for work. Cooked him breakfast, sent him on his way. The usual,” she sighed placing the cold food in the oven.
“He seemed normal, didn’t he? I mean, i know I asked you before, but now it’s been a few weeks, you haven’t remembered owt else, have you?”
“Oh you coppers. All alike,” she smiled, waiting for the water to heat. “I have been replaying that morning over and over in my mind. Hoping to find some clue, but no,” she sighed. “It all seemed right as rain. Would you like some bread with your meal?”
“No. That’s alright. I’ve been doing the same as you. Thinking about that night.”
“And noticed nothing strange, either?”
“No,” Ray lied.
“Well, it doesn’t matter what Litton or anyone says. I know my Gene’s out there somewhere. To stubborn not to be. Don’t you agree?”
“Absolutely, Mrs. Hunt.”
The kettle whistled and Vera immediately took it from the stove and poured him a cup.
“Oh! I’ve been meaning to ask,” she said, carrying over the cuppa. “How is that new DI doing?”
“New...you mean DI Tyler?”
“Yes, that’s the one. Name always slips me mind. Well, I suppose he’s not so new anymore. Almost been with you a year now, hasn’t he?”
“Vera, didn’t Gene tell you?”
“Tell me what?” she asked, checking on the food. “Oh good Lord,” she spun round. “He hasn’t been killed, has he?”
“No. No,” Ray was quick to dismiss her fears. “He...he, uhm, went back to Hyde. For a bit. Family matters.”
“Oh thank goodness. You scared me,” she relaxed. “For a moment I thought something happened to him. Policing being what it is these days. You boys should take more precautions you know. Every day I read the paper, I’m terrified of seeing one of your lovely faces in the headline. Are you sure you wouldn’t like some bread?”
“Well, if you insist,” Ray nodded and watched as Vera finished preparing the food. He knew he should ask her about Hynes, but he couldn’t wrap his round what he’d just heard. If Sam’s ramblings were anything to go by, Vera knew exactly who DI Tyler was. So, why was she pretending she didn’t? And, why hadn’t Gene told her about Tyler’s sectioning?
Author: dak
Word Count: 1496 (this part); (23,628 in total, so far)
Rating: blue cortina
Warnings: none here
Summary: Post 2.08. When the Guv goes missing, CID is saddled with an inept "interim" DCI. To find Gene, and the truth, Ray must team up with a hated enemy.
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15
Part 16
After an interminably long drive, Ray dropped Chris off at his parents and drove himself home. He’d offered for Chris to join him when he went to see Vera. Chris had simply shrugged him off and told him he could handle it. He didn’t know Mrs. Hunt very well, anyhow, he said. When Ray asked if Chris wanted to grab a pint later, Chris pretended he didn’t hear him.
Ray slammed the steering wheel as Chris slammed the door. The div had no reason to be mad at him. He’d done the right thing. He was doing the right thing - finding the Guv when no one else gave a damn. Well, that wasn’t entirely true. Chris did care. Cartwright cared. Tyler might care if he had more than two brain cells left in that cracked skull of his. But, if everyone cared as much as he did, why weren’t they showing it?
Ray pushed the thought from his mind as he drove away from the Skelton’s house. He had work to do. He stopped at home to change into a fresh suit. He always liked to make a good impression on the Guv’s wife. It was nice to think at least one person thought him respectable.
As he returned to his car, he wondered if Vera had gone home or returned to her mother’s in Yorkshire. He didn’t fancy another long drive and he wasn’t exactly sure where the mother-in-law Hunt lived. Well, he’d try the Hunt’s first and take it from there.
He parked his car across the street from the Cortina. The sight of it sitting there - still and quiet - made his stomach lurch. It had been his first hunch that Gene had been taken. The Guv would never leave his girl behind. Besides, he hadn’t another car to drive and none of the unmarked vehicles at the station were missing.
Ray thought maybe someone should drive it. It couldn’t be good to let the engine rest like that for so long, especially in the increasingly colder weather. He’d ask Vera’s permission of course. He grabbed the small bouquet of flowers he bought and made the short walk to the Guv’s front stoop.
He noticed a light on inside and was relieved to know that she was in fact here. He knocked three times and waited. Seconds later, the door cracked open to reveal Vera’s blotchy, tear-stained face.
“Oh, Raymond,” she smiled. “I was afraid it was that awful DCI Litton again. Do come in,” she stepped aside and waved him in.
“That ponce been giving you a hard time, Mrs. Hunt?” he asked, handing her the flowers.
“Well, I suppose he could be worse. But, as long as he’s helping to find Gene...” she sniffled and dabbed her nose with a hanky. “Please excuse me,” she apologized.
“Don’t even think on it. Have a right to be upset, everything you’ve been through.”
“You’re such a sweet lad, Raymond. Thank you. I was just fixing meself some tea. You could join me, if you like?”
“I’d never turn down a meal from the best cook in the county,” Ray grinned.
“Oh stop. You’re too kind,” she sniffled again, then stuffed the hanky back in her apron. “Let me put these in water.”
Ray followed her into the kitchen, not sitting until he was told to.
“WDC Cartwright told me about the phone call,” he began. He wanted to be gentle, but he needed to get to the truth.”
“Oh yes. Annie, isn’t it? Policework’s hardly the profession for such a young lady,” she shook her head as she placed the flowers in a vase.
“Has DCI Litton investigated that call, Vera? Told you anything useful?”
“Well, not much,” she sighed, filling the vase with water. “Just kept asking questions. How did I know it was Gene? Could I hear anything in the background? How long was the call? My goodness, I’m surprised he didn’t ask what color me dressing gown was!” She set the vase at the center of the table. “There. Lovely. Gene doesn’t much care for mums, but they just brighten up a room, don’t you think?” Vera smiled briefly, then turned away when the tears began again. “Now, what can I get you Raymond?”
“Don’t make a fuss over me. Make whatever you want.”
She nodded, wiped her hands on her apron and walked to the fridge.
“It’s been hard with him gone. At the station. Least we have each other to look after us. Can’t imagine what it must be like for you, here on your own,” Ray gently began his enquiry.
“You make me out to be a hermit, DS Carling,” she laughed quietly. “I have had Mother. She’s been a great help, even if she and Gene never quite see eye to eye.” She pulled out some leftover roast and set it on the counter. “And there’s Rosemary. Rosemary Kline. She’s an old schoolmate of mine. Only lives just round the corner. She’s the one that dropped this off this afternoon,” she pointed to the roast. “Doesn’t think I should bother with cooking, the state I’m in. How much would you like?”
“Oh, just a bit. Ta. What about your bridge club? I’m sure they’d be a good....distraction, eh?”
Vera froze for just a moment, her back to Ray. He couldn’t see her face but could tell from her body language that he was on the right track.
“Oh, didn’t Gene tell you?” she asked, cutting up the meat. “I left the bridge club a few months ago. Now, I know there was some veg to go with this meat,” she scurried back to the refrigerator.
“That’s a shame. Gene always said how much you loved bridge. I hope it weren’t over nothing serious.”
“No. No. Of course not. Oh my. I haven’t offered you anything to drink, have I? What a horrible hostess I’m being,” she laughed briefly. “What would you care for? I have some tea, of course. Water. There’s a few bottles of beer that are Gene’s, if...”
“Just tea would be lovely,” he returned her smile. “You know, my sister’s in a club in Barnsley. Bit of drive, but if you were looking...”
“Thank you very much, Raymond, but I’m afraid cards just aren’t my forte anymore.” She put the kettle on the stove. “Arthritis, you see. It’s just starting to set in,” she said, wiggling her fingers. “Hurts to hold them the way I used to. Isn’t aging grand? Do you take any sugar or milk? I’m afraid I can’t remember.”
“Bit of milk would be fine. When was the last time you saw Gene? That Monday morning, weren’t it?”
“Yes. Before he left for work. Cooked him breakfast, sent him on his way. The usual,” she sighed placing the cold food in the oven.
“He seemed normal, didn’t he? I mean, i know I asked you before, but now it’s been a few weeks, you haven’t remembered owt else, have you?”
“Oh you coppers. All alike,” she smiled, waiting for the water to heat. “I have been replaying that morning over and over in my mind. Hoping to find some clue, but no,” she sighed. “It all seemed right as rain. Would you like some bread with your meal?”
“No. That’s alright. I’ve been doing the same as you. Thinking about that night.”
“And noticed nothing strange, either?”
“No,” Ray lied.
“Well, it doesn’t matter what Litton or anyone says. I know my Gene’s out there somewhere. To stubborn not to be. Don’t you agree?”
“Absolutely, Mrs. Hunt.”
The kettle whistled and Vera immediately took it from the stove and poured him a cup.
“Oh! I’ve been meaning to ask,” she said, carrying over the cuppa. “How is that new DI doing?”
“New...you mean DI Tyler?”
“Yes, that’s the one. Name always slips me mind. Well, I suppose he’s not so new anymore. Almost been with you a year now, hasn’t he?”
“Vera, didn’t Gene tell you?”
“Tell me what?” she asked, checking on the food. “Oh good Lord,” she spun round. “He hasn’t been killed, has he?”
“No. No,” Ray was quick to dismiss her fears. “He...he, uhm, went back to Hyde. For a bit. Family matters.”
“Oh thank goodness. You scared me,” she relaxed. “For a moment I thought something happened to him. Policing being what it is these days. You boys should take more precautions you know. Every day I read the paper, I’m terrified of seeing one of your lovely faces in the headline. Are you sure you wouldn’t like some bread?”
“Well, if you insist,” Ray nodded and watched as Vera finished preparing the food. He knew he should ask her about Hynes, but he couldn’t wrap his round what he’d just heard. If Sam’s ramblings were anything to go by, Vera knew exactly who DI Tyler was. So, why was she pretending she didn’t? And, why hadn’t Gene told her about Tyler’s sectioning?